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Hebrews 9:23–28
“But now, once at the end of the ages, [Jesus] has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself” (Heb. 9:26b).
This cult was founded in Pittsburgh by Charles T. Russell in the late 1800s. As a boy, he often warned people of the dangers of hell, but he later became a skeptic. When he encountered Seventh-day Adventism, he found a new dimension of faith, eventually beginning his own movement in 1872. Though his character was suspect, he was a compelling speaker, a master organizer, and voluminous writer. For instance, he wrote a seven-volume series, Studies in the Scriptures, and said that it would be better to read his writings than the Bible. His successor, a Midwest lawyer named Judge Rutherford, de-emphasized the study of Scripture and Russell’s writings, focusing the group instead on witnessing. He made few doctrinal changes, but his writings largely replaced Russell’s. The next leader, N.H. Knorr, who took over in 1942, did much the same, referring to Russell and Rutherford only infrequently. He emphasized intense adult education in an effort to train every Jehovah’s Witness.
As with Seventh-day Adventism, it is difficult to determine just what Jehovah’s Witnesses believe. They do affirm that the Bible is their only authority, but they believe they alone interpret it correctly. Their New World Translation is grossly reworked and distorted. The group sees its primary task as bearing witness to Jehovah, the sovereign king of the universe. The fall of man is interpreted as rebellion against His authority, but He is setting things right by raising up a community to bear witness to Him. This de-emphasizes Jesus’ role in redemption. Jehovah’s Witnesses say He was the first created being and was the Archangel Michael before the incarnation. He was born as a mere man, but God adopted Him as His son at His baptism. His death on the cross atoned only for Adam’s sin, thereby giving all of us another chance to be faithful—by bearing witness to Jehovah. The emphasis is on witnessing, the means by which we earn salvation.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses are intensely interested in the end times. They eagerly anticipate the Battle of Armageddon, when Jesus will separate the sheep from the goats (based on their attitude toward Jehovah’s Witnesses). In the actual battle, Jehovah and Jesus will destroy Satan and his allies, eliminate wickedness, and vindicate Jehovah’s sovereignty once and for all.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
Jehovah’s Witnesses are among the most dedicated and zealous cult workers. Chances are they have come to your door. The next time you encounter Witnesses, engage them in conversation and try to show them the Scriptural teaching that salvation is by faith alone, not by works. This will challenge their most basic assumption.
For Further Study
- Isaiah 53:12
- Luke 24:46
- John 20:27–28
- Ephesians 2:8–10